Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1887-12-30
IN STATU QUO.
That Is About the Condition OF Affairs in
Washington This Week.

That is About the Condition of Affairs in
Washington This Week
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-[Special.] Con
gress is practically at standstill, and no
progress can be made until the holidays
are past. Politics and coming legislation
have been banished from the mind of the
average congressman, and it is only those
with hobbies that have not concentrated
their thoughts upon the approaching holi-
day festivities. The presidents message
has been almost forgotten, and the con-
tending claims of free trade and protec-
tion subordinated to the more elevating
sentiment of universal good will. What.
ever interest there is in public questions
seems to be centered in the proposition to
restrict foreign immigration. Several bills
with this end in view have already been
introduced, but none of them seems to pos
sess the element of practicability. All
provide that immigrants before leaving
their native land must procure certificate
Of their moral worth from the American
consul at the port of embarkation. But
how the consul is to obtain information as
to the antecedents of the immigrant, or
who is going to vOuch for the consuPs
ability to judge of true moral worth, hee
questions which have not entered into one
admits that it is most desirable thing to
keep the United States free from alien
paupers, criminals and professional revo-
lutiOnists, it will be found difficult task
to discriminate between the industrious
immigrant and the social leper and at the
same time preserve the sacred traditions
of individual liberty. The problem is a
will be able to bring brOad-guage states
manship to bear during the session.
There is no disposition on the part Of
congressman at this time to discuss the
tariff. Those who are always ready in
politics to follow the leader do not know
just how far. to go at present, and they
wisely maintain golden silence. The
bold spirits who have the courage of strong
convictions have yielded themselves up to
the grateful influence of season of thanks
giving. and decline to discuss matter
that will shortly involve the whole con-
gressiOnal community in vortexOf political
excitement. One point at issue in this
tied. 1t has been conceded on all sides
that the internal revenue on whisky shall
be maintained. While opinion is divided
as to the advisability Of giving the people
cheap tobacco, all are strenuOusly
opposed to the cheapening of whisky.
This is the common ground on which the
divided factions of the democratic party
can meet and agree upon q plan of presi-
dental campaign against the common
enemy. At present the out and out free
traders are sanguine Of being able to bring
the democratic protectiOnists to a realiza-
ton of the wisdom of the proposed fiscal
programme. The revision Of the tariff,
however, is practical question upon
which should be shed much of what Horace
Greeley used to term common horse sense.
Whether congress, three-fourths OF
whose members are lawyers, is capable of
thoroughly grasping the wants of a strict
ly business question of this character is
yet to be seen. 1t does seem unfortunate,
however, that the business affairs of the
nation should, at this conjuncture, be
entrusted to congress Of lawyers who,
however honest and conscientious they
may be, are not always the most practical
of mortals. The executive ability of the
legal profession is now On trial. Whatever
its congressional members do will be
weighed in the balance next fall and If
they prove that they are only light weight
legislators, devoid of craftsmanship. the
people should afterward turn over new
leaf and elect business men to represent
them